Henry Friedman shares his experiences about hiding from the Nazis during World War II. (Photos courtesy of Benjamin Helle)

Holocaust survivor Henry Friedman, who is featured in the Legacy Washington exhibit “Washington Remembers World War II,” gave a stirring and powerful presentation about his experiences.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman emceed Friedman’s presentation Wednesday at the state Capitol. She thanked Friedman for having the courage to share his story.

“The fact that he survived at all is a miracle,” Wyman said, noting that by liberation from the Nazis in 1944, only 88 of 10,000 Jews from his hometown in Brody, Poland, were alive.

“Henry Friedman could have spent the rest of his life recovering from a trauma that – as one of our veterans put it so well – is simply ‘un-understandable. Instead he chose to tell his story – in a book, in community lectures and to anyone willing to listen,” Wyman said.

Friedman and Secretary of State Wyman after his presentation.

TVW covered Friedman’s presentation and will have it available for viewing on its website.

Friedman is renowned for his role in creating the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Friedman also is a founder of the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center in Seattle.

Friedman wrote a book about his life and Holocaust experiences entitled “I’m No Hero.” Copies of his book were sold in the Capitol’s State Reception Room at the presentation event.

Wyman told the audience that Legacy Washington is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to publish a printed compilation of the stories featured in the Washington Remembers World War II exhibit. The printed book will be accessible through libraries and other organizations nationwide, she said. Those interested in donating should contact Legacy Washington’s Laura Mott at (360) 902-4171 or [email protected].